The actress later really returned to her room once and took down her Protective Talismans for Chu Yi to examine. Most of them were fakes, with only one or two emitting faint Spiritual Power, seemingly the work of Xuanmen Cultivators.
However, these peers’ skills were limited. For instance, that Marriage Talisman required the host to already have some affinity for it to work; only then could it ensure smooth relationships and protect against external disruptions.
Chu Yi picked out the useful Protective Talismans for her. The actress’s expression soured upon seeing them. “I knew you get what you pay for. These two cost one hundred thousand and one hundred fifty thousand respectively, while the others were only ten or twenty thousand each.”
Xiao Liu was dumbfounded. For ordinary folks like them, a monthly salary of ten or twenty thousand was already top-tier—and that was considered good. Shi Linna wasn’t even a second-tier celebrity in the industry, yet she was this wealthy!
Chu Yi glanced at Shi Linna as well, suddenly realizing that modern peers made money so easily!
He had earned just over fifty-two thousand total from reading physiognomy and offering guidance for Ouyang Yuyuan and Mu Jiajun. While he got a bit more from catching the Little Ghost and writing the Prescription for Master Cheng—still under two hundred fifty thousand—his peers raked in this much just by scribbling a couple of Talismans… Once his Cultivation Base improved, he was certain he could draw better ones than them!
In truth, Chu Yi had misunderstood. It wasn’t that his peers charged excessively; he simply hadn’t targeted the right clientele. Ouyang Yuyuan was stingy, Mu Jiajun was restricted by his family, and Master Cheng—a mere martial arts instructor—could hardly compete with female celebrities in earnings.
Chu Yi seemed to have found a new direction, but his Spiritual Power was still too low. Consuming it to draw Talismans would be unwise for now; better to focus on Cultivation first.
Thus, he spent the film crew’s day off Cultivating. The next day at the set, Liu Shengqing eagerly shared the latest news. “Yi Ge, Director Mo finally approved a role for me! He let me play Bai Yanming’s subordinate. Now I can act alongside you!”
Bai Yanming was the gentle scholar prince played by Chu Yi, the son of the Jiangnan governor. It was reasonable for a newbie like Liu Shengqing to land such a part.
“Oh? When did he say that? Wasn’t yesterday a day off?”
Liu Shengqing looked a bit sheepish. “This is largely thanks to you, Yi Ge. I was bored yesterday, so I practiced the moves from your video. By sheer luck, Director Mo saw me… He even praised my diligence and potential, calling me a promising seedling.”
Chu Yi nodded. “Then perform well and don’t disappoint Director Mo.”
“I will!”
Watching the youthful Liu Shengqing with his eyes sparkling with ambition, Chu Yi could easily see through the innocence to the drive beneath.
He was indeed shrewd, expressing gratitude to Director Mo in every word while flattering Chu Yi under the guise of the video and acknowledging his favor.
Normally, a young, handsome guy like Liu Shengqing at this stage would be more self-centered and less adept at navigating social niceties.
But Chu Yi had read Liu Shengqing’s Physiognomy and knew his family situation was unique. His siblings’ palace was full but distant and estranged; his parents were both present, yet their relationship was practical rather than formally married…
Growing up in such an environment explained his burning ambition.
Chu Yi didn’t necessarily approve of Liu Shengqing’s methods, but he felt unqualified to judge. Hadn’t great heroes throughout history flattered and endured in obscurity, seizing slim opportunities to rise?
Everyone had their hardships. Chu Yi had no intention of exposing Liu Shengqing’s scars or forming a deep bond—they weren’t on the same path, after all.
Yet Liu Shengqing stuck to Chu Yi like glue. Since he had some acting knowledge from drama school, Chu Yi occasionally picked up quicker insights from him than from his own trial-and-error.
When Xu Xing and the others had time, they also taught Chu Yi action scene essentials. With Shi Linna, Xiao Liu, and the rest helping, Chu Yi’s grasp of acting progressed by leaps and bounds.
A few days later, Shi Linna surprisingly brought the female lead Yue Weiyu and several supporting actresses to Chu Yi. “Little Bro Chu, it turns out Weiyu and the others bought Prayer Talismans too. Could you help check them over?” She winked at him. “Don’t worry, we won’t let you do it for nothing.”
Chu Yi: “…” The Talismans market was truly vast—bigger than he had imagined!
Surrounded by a gaggle of women, Chu Yi naturally drew envious eyes. Qin Xiaoran, dressed in costume on a lounge chair nearby, saw the scene and scoffed disdainfully. “Hmph, what a load of nonsense!”
He was already irked that Director Mo fawned over a newbie more than over him, the male lead. With only his assistants and staff around him while Chu Yi’s group buzzed with activity, it made him look unpopular—no wonder he was upset.
Another male actor, Qi Yun, chimed in. “Don’t say that, Qin Ge. That kid’s got real skills; he even exposed Ying Lin’s Raising Little Ghost.”
Qin Xiaoran rolled his eyes. “As if! It’s just crew hype.”
Though Director Mo had clamped down, tabloids were relentless. Gossip about Da Qing Feng Yun being haunted had spread as rumor mill fodder.
Every production had such whispers—hauntings, cast feuds, ambiguous star affairs. Official media ignored them, the crew denied them, but they generated buzz for the filming project.
Qi Yun remained noncommittal. Even if fake, Director Mo’s attitude was telling…
As they chatted, Yu Qingxian suddenly arrived with a stylishly dissolute man in tow, followed by a retinue.
The man’s gaze lingered on Yu Qingxian’s waist now and then, inwardly lamenting the pity: Yu Qingxian was right up his alley, but the Yu Family was untouchable, and Yu Qingxian had never shown interest in men. Otherwise, he’d have made a move.
“President Yu, what brings you here? And this is…?” Qin Xiaoran and Qi Yun hurried over to greet them. Chu Yi’s group was farther away and hadn’t noticed yet.
Yu Qingxian withdrew his gaze from Chu Yi amid the “sea of flowers.” “This is Cui Ran, Second Young Master Cui.”
Cui surname—could it be from the Capital Cui Family? Qin Xiaoran’s eyes lit up. “Second Young Master Cui, pleasure to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”
Cui Ran’s attention shifted to Qin Xiaoran, sizing him up and detecting a kindred vibe.
But he found Qin Xiaoran dull. Handsome and polished on the surface, yet his eyes screamed nightclub opportunist—too jaded and calculating. Not his type.
Suddenly, Cui Ran’s eyes brightened at the sight of a tall, fair-skinned youth with sword-like brows and starry eyes approaching. “President Yu.”
Cui Ran thrilled. “Who’s he?”
Yu Qingxian’s expression turned odd. Cui Ran was an indiscriminate lech; why fixate on Chu Yi of all people?!
Ouyang Yuyuan’s eyelid twitched. He jumped in. “Second Young Master, like whoever you want—just not him!”
“Why not?” Cui Ran bristled. He knew Ouyang Yuyuan’s status and assumed rivalry, but so what? May the best man win!
Having heard of Second Young Master Cui’s exploits, and with Chu Yi approaching, Ouyang Yuyuan had a flash of inspiration. “He’s the General Manager’s man!”
Meeting his cousin’s sharp side-eye, he tugged at his lips guiltily. Desperate times—Yun Kai’s matter still depended on Chu Yi!
They had brought Cui Ran themselves; they couldn’t let him prey on Yi Ge, or Chu Yi might lump them together as birds of a feather!
Besides, it wasn’t wrong. Chu Yi would soon sign with Xingyao, making him the General Manager’s man by extension. Spot on!
Cui Ran’s leering gaze turned to Yu Qingxian, grinning sleazily. “Qingxian, you should’ve said you like guys too…”
Yu Qingxian coldly replied, “That’s my private affair. No need for Second Young Master Cui to inquire.”
“How is it unrelated? You like men, and I do too…”
Yu Qingxian ignored the bait. “Isn’t Second Young Master Cui here to inspect the set? Director Mo’s inside; go find him. I have matters to attend to and won’t keep you company.”
He shot a venomous glare at the culprit Ouyang Yuyuan, then strode off before Cui Ran could react.
Cui Ran pouted boredly. Big deal—so high and mighty, yet just like him, into men!
You’d better pray the Yu Family doesn’t fall, or I’ll sample that High Mountain Flower of yours.
Recalling the cute guy from earlier, Cui Ran looked up to find him—only for Ouyang Yuyuan to have whisked him away unnoticed.
Cui Ran tsked. Glancing at Qin Xiaoran and Qi Yun nearby, better than nothing.
The still-standing Qin Xiaoran and Qi Yun were stunned. The President Yu’s special assistant called Chu Yi the General Manager’s man—and President Yu hadn’t denied it!
Another shocked bystander was Liu Shengqing, hiding behind a pillar.
He had planned to join Chu Yi but spotted the lascivious aura on Cui Ran and his improper stares at Chu Yi and Yu Qingxian. Startled, he ducked away.
Liu Shengqing pondered. So Yu Qingxian liked men—did the Yu Family know…?
“Who was that just now?” Chu Yi asked after rejoining Yu Qingxian.
“He’s Cui Ran, here to invest in the crew. Ignore him. If he harasses you, tell me immediately.”
He somewhat regretted bringing Cui Ran. The guy had seemed decent and offered investment for the company’s sake. He hadn’t refused, but now…
Ouyang Yuyuan quickly waved his hands. “He’s not with us—I don’t like him either.”
Chu Yi nodded. “Good. President Yu, you’d best decline his investment.”
“Why?”
“His Physiognomy shows family ruin and death. The evils his clan committed are catching up. Taking his money might taint you with the stench.”
Yu Qingxian inhaled sharply. “Really?”
“Of course. Why would I lie to you? After all, I’m President Yu’s man.”
Yu Qingxian: “…”
Can I fire this useless cousin now, or is it too late?
